Nightlife In Singapore

Updated on March 12, 2013

Singapore Nights

Some might say that the nightlife in Singapore is tame. Shopping malls close at ten in the evening, the streets start clearing at eleven and it is generally dead by midnight. Everyone goes to bed early to start another busy day at work in the morning. The previous statements are untruthful, stereotypical of nature and it is safe to note that the nightlife scene in the tropical country is alive, well and kicking. And it is also safe to note that you do not have to be a hardcore-wild thrashing party type to enjoy the city’s nightlife, so everyone can rejoice!

When most of the companies knock off work at five or six in the evening,
Singapore turns from a busy business epicenter into a frenzy of various
activities at night appealing to any and all sorts of crowd and
whatever it is they are into.

Nightlife in Singapore

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Mustafa Center, Singapore's biggest shopping mall

Phuture, Singapore

Zouk, Singapore

Velvet Underground, Singapore

Chinatown Night Market, Singapore

Zouk

For the younger crowd wanting to groove and dance the night away and socialize while enjoying a few drinks, Zouk is where the crowd is. Zouk offers three adjoining clubs (Zouk, Velvet Underground and Phuture) all in within the confines of a bustling nightlife scene. Zouk comprises mainly of the younger crowd, consisting of a huge dance floor featuring a variety of house and guest deejays every night, playing hits that will blast into the state-of-the-art sound system. A highlight of Zouk would be Mambo Jambo nights held every Wednesday. Considered to be an initiation for those new to the clubbing scene, Mambo Jambo or Mambo nights as it is more commonly called, is a themed night featuring old school hits of the 70s and 80s where clubbers would dance in unison to.

Velvet Underground

Velvet Underground, located beside Zouk, appeals to the slightly older demographic, a place where the business suited let loose their ties and lounge to the less-heart pounding soul music. To top Zouk off, is Phuture. As it name suggests, Phuture has a modernistic, space age, avant-garde-like feel to the club. Specializing in Down Tempo and Trip Hop music, Phuture appeals to the likes of anyone desiring to feel a little different that night.

Chinatown Night Market

For the shopping socialites and demigods who require a shopping haven in the night to have their shopping fix, do not fret when the shopping malls across the island closes for the night. From traditional clothes, to modern-looking souvenirs, the Chinatown Night Market located deep in the heart of Chinatown at Pagoda Street offers a unique, bazaar style experience that will appeal to the travelers out to find a unique looking artifact to bring back home. The Chinatown Night Market opens till one in the morning on weekends.

Mustafa Center

Shoppers that desire shopping within the confines and comfort of a shopping mall will be pleased with what Mustafa Center has to offer. The only 24-hour is like a wonder emporium. Quite literally everything is available within the confines of the building and it will indeed give shoppers hours of shopping time until dawn breaks. Located in the vicinity of Little India, 24-hour restaurants are located within and around the one-stop shopping paradise so if you feel a little urge for a bite in the middle of your shopping haunt, just drop by one of the many restaurants available and open throughout the night.

2009 Singapore Night Festival

Gluttony

Lastly, for the insomniacs and the late-night travelers who need a joint to eat, Singapore is the right place to be. Known for its food, the tropical country also has plenty of restaurants and eating outlets open 24-hours throughout the night. Foodies should try out Glutton’s Bay, offering traditional-styled hawker stall food at affordable prices. Located at City Hall, deep in the heart of the city, business dealings occurring late at night in need of food should drop by Glutton’s Bay as it is open until three in the morning. Foodies in search of a good bar along with fine dining should drop by well-known Holland Village. A quaint rustic village appealing to expatriates, Holland Village is a mere 15-minute drive away from downtown heart of the city and its bars and restaurants are open throughout the night. With many restaurants offering different types of food, foodies will be spoiled for choice.

So, for those who doubt the nightlife in Singapore, drop by any of the above locations and check it out! You will definitely be surprised with what Singapore has to offer at night, you might even find that it could be more fun than what is happening around the island in the day!

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Comments 4 comments

successdotnet 4 years ago from Malaysia

Philip. I just came back from Singapore. The security is good other than the foods :)

chogaijin 5 years ago

I live in Singapore. Its a nice place, and definitely looks like paradise when you visit, but safety and high test marks in education do come at a cost.

As for nightlife, it is pretty tame. ^_^ Though like the article says, there are plenty of clubs you can go to should you choose. There is also a giant resort and gambling casino, The Marina Bay Sands, and a smallish version of Universal Studios theme park as well.

One of the nice things about food here is that there is a great variety of east and west, as well as 24 hour delivery. McDonald's delivers 24hrs a day!

As for the darker side...yes, academically Singaporeans score high, but its not all roses and thanks to great education. Singaporean children are in school or learning centers 6-7 days a week. Often kids are studying into the wee hours of the morning. Most people you talk to will readily admit that they don't really remember much of what they learned. The learning here is largely rote memorization and education leans heavily on test results. Once the test is passed, time to move on and make room in your head for the next test to cram for.

The other thing I think is dangerous and for some, disastrous, is that the kids are streamed here. Meaning, if you show an aptitude for something at 7 years old or whenever, you will be streamed into that line. If you are slow at a young age, you will be forever in the remedial classes.

What this does is keep expectations low for these kids that may struggle in areas while setting up some kids who excel in others to be elitists. It also cuts off the choice to grow and experiment in your childhood. Who's interests don't change radically several times throughout their child hood?! Kids are forced to make life altering decisions before they even leave primary school!

There is a great deal of stress placed on both parents and children to excel in this tiny country. Parents actually compete, donate large sums of money and volunteer hours of their time to get their kids into the "good" pre-school's and kindergartens. This is not to mention primary, secondary, colleges and universities! Some parents start trying to get their kid into the desired school of their choice as soon as they are born.

As for the safety of and quietness of Singapore. That too also comes at a price. There is no free speech here. If you criticize the government too loudly, you will be sued for libel. The Wall Street Journal was almost booted from the country TWICE for criticizing the government and was fined heavily.

Politics here are also very interesting. Basically the country is run by the PAP political body. No one is allowed to demonstrate, gather in groups of 3 or more, there are no protests allowed and if you want to speak your mind, you only have one small grassy corner where you can. During elections (when the PAP decides they are to have them), you are not allowed to write about it on blogs or talk about it in public forums. Granted, this is only loosely enforced. Though, recently, members of an opposition party were arrested for handing out fliers promoting their party around the courthouse.

Singapore is a nanny state, run by the PAP. Lee Kwan Yew is its patriarch. He was an early leader, and eventually Prime Minister. When his son came of age, he then became Prime Minister. Lee Kwan Yew then gave himself a new title, Minister Mentor. Now he goes around the world touting his legacy and drawing one retirement check, a current paycheck, and countless bonuses. The Prime Minister earns more money in basic salary then the President of the U.S. This doesn't even factor in their bonuses and money they get from the countless state owned and tax funded companies and investment firms they run.

The papers here are state run, the TV is state run. The major telephony/cable/internet is also connected to the state. Singapore airlines is state owned, MediaCorp (the only broadcaster) is state owned. The power companies are also state owned and run.

The government also runs a fund. They take 20% of your income (that is not including the 7% tax rate) and tell you when, what, and how much you can use that money. Its a nice retirement fund. But, ultimately its my money. But the government doesn't see it that way. They get to use the money to invest anyway they see fit, while you can only hope you don't get too ill or too poor before you retire. If you lose your job, too bad. You still can't touch that giant savings account you have. If you land in the hospital with cancer or a horrific accident, sorry. You can only use a certain amount of that money. Having a child? Oh, well you can use just a bit of that money.

All those flats people live in? Most of those are also state owned. They "sell" them to people, and then within 99 years, it reverts back to the state. You have no legacy to leave to your grandchildren. Even when you do "own" the property. You can't really do anything to it. There are even rules about removing existing floor and bathroom tiles (you're not allowed to).

Singapore is a pleasant place to live, but it is run as a business. It is not about the people, it is about the company, Singapore Inc. The state controls everything.

I know what I said sounds harsh, and overly dark and pessimistic. But when you visit and read articles about Singapore, you are offered an overly rosy and optimistic view of the country. I merely want to balance the picture a bit.

The things I love most about Singapore are, the beautiful scenery, the mix of eastern and western cultures and food, lots of convenient restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and medical practitioners available with world class transportation. There is no need to own a car in Singapore. In fact if you want to, not only do you pay a super high price for the car, you also pay several thousands to the government to drive that car. The more you pay, the more you can drive. But that's another story.

BkCreative 7 years ago from Brooklyn, New York City

A beautiful safe country - or city state as they are also known.

If I could pick anywhere in the world to relocate and retire to - it would be Singapore. Love that they guarantee their people a very high standard of living, including number one in the world with education, and safety is unparalleled. And don't even think about being a stupid drug pusher - they execute people for this (it seems to be stupid foreigners) and they warn you when you disembark.

Great Singapore hubs. Many many thanks. I get to visit again, vicariously!